LORI BRADNER, shown in her classroom at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, has been named the Air Force Association's National Aerospace Teacher of the Year. (ERNST PETERS | THE LEDGER (2011))

LAKELAND | Central Florida Aerospace Academy teacher Lori Bradner has been named the Air Force Association's National Aerospace Teacher of the Year.

Bradner, who teaches science at the Kathleen High School's Aerospace Academy in Lakeland, will receive a $3,000 prize and a plaque for her achievement during an awards ceremony Sept. 15 in Washington, D.C. She becomes the 27th recipient of the national award.

The wife and mother of four kids said she was "flabbergasted" by the honor.

"I'm just doing what I love," Bradner, 43, said. "This needs to go to the students because they are the ones who make me who I am."

Superintendent of Schools Sherrie Nickell said Bradner continues to distinguish herself as an exemplary teacher and the Air Force award proves that.

"She is an educator's educator going above and beyond, again and again," Nickell said. "We are fortunate to have this amazing teacher, who is worthy of national acclaim, as one of our own."

AFA's National Aerospace Teacher of the Year award recognizes classroom teachers at the national level for their accomplishments and achievements in building enthusiasm among K-12 students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, an area known as STEM.

Bradner has been teaching since 2008. She established the county's first Space Camp for STEM teachers, coordinated a sister program with a Norwegian school and founded Central Florida Air Academy's Civil Air Patrol Squadron.

In addition to the Air Force honor, Bradner is also the 2012 NASA Women in STEM Education High School Scholar Teacher and the 2011 Reach for the Stars Teacher of the Year.

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Aerospace Academy Teacher Teacher Wins U.S. Award